Record controlled punch



July 9, 1935. J. w. BRYCE RECORD CONTROLLED PUNCH Filed April 13, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.1.

INVEN OR ATTORNEY July 9, 1935. J. w. BRYCE 2,007,391

RECORD CONTROLLED PUNCH Filed April 15, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 PIC-3.4. FIGS.

-21 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 J, W. BRYCE RECORD CONTROLLED PUNCH Filed April 13,

July 9, 1935.

INVENTO ATTQRNEY NQE Patented July 9, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RECORD CONTROLLED PUNCH Application April 13, 1934, Serial No. 720,495 In Italy March 30, 1934 9Claims.

This is a continuation in part of application Serial No. 667,025, filed April 20, 1933.

This invention relates to punching machines and more particularly to punching machines of the record controlled type.

Perforated tabulating cards for use in controlling automatic accounting and statistical machines have generally been perforated in key operated punches, duplicating punches and gang punches, where the data entered into the cards in the form of perforations are determined by the manual selection of keys or the automatic selection and operation of keys under control of perforations in another record, or the punching is automatically effected in accordance with a pre-set selecting mechanism. In any of these systems, the transcription of original data entered in some form on original records involves some intermediate operation before actual entry on a tabulating card in perforated form. It is quite obvious that numerous errors will and do creep into these operations so that the final tabulating card is often not a true transcript of the original data. Where accuracy is to be desired, further verifying operations are entered into to check the perforations in the cards with the original information before they are used in controlling the operation of tabulating machines and the like. It is therefore the broad object of the present invention to eliminate the various intermediate steps heretofore necessary in preparing a transcript card in accordance with original data. In accordance with the present invention the tabulating card itself receives the original entry and becomes the transcript card. The original data are entered on this card by making marks in index point positions thereof.

These' marks are analyzed and perforations are automatically made in the same index point positions. These perforations are of the usual configuration employed in the well known types of tabulating cards.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide means for analyzing index point positions of a record for graphical entries therein and effecting perforations in those positions in which such entries occur.

A further object is to analyze index point positions of a record for perforations of indeterminate configuration within predetermined limits or areas and for causing operation of the machine to completely punch out such areas as are perforated within the boundaries thereof.

A further object is to provide a storage or receiving mechanism settable in accordance with and under control of data entries in the form of graphical representations in index point positions of a record card. Means is provided for causing this setup mechanism to subsequently eflect perforations in the index point positions which control the setting of the mechanism.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious from the following particular description of one form of mechanism embodying the invention or from an inspection of the accompanying drawings; and the invention also constitutes certain novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central section of the essential operating mechanism of the device.

Fig. la is a section taken along the lines la-la of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is a detail of the punch controlling contact and the operating mechanism therefor.

Fig.3 is a detail of the escapement mechanism of the punching machine.

Fig. 4 is a detail of a fragment of a record card in which graphical entries are converted into 25 entries in the form of perforations.

Fig. 5 is a detail of a record in which data entries in the form of irregularly arranged perforations are converted into perforations of standard configuration suitable for the control of tabulating apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a detail of the setup or storage mechanism of the machine and the controlling mechanism therefor.

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram of the electric circuits of the machine in their simplest form.

The punching machine, which will first be described, is generally of the form shown in the Lee and Phillips Patent No. 1,772,186, granted August 5, 1930 and the description thereof will be limited to the featured essential to an understanding of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, punch selecting magnets it are provided, there being one for each index point position of the record card. Energization of magnet ill will attract its armature to rock an arm ii in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot l2, thus moving key l3 downwardly to rock a bell crank it, which has connection with an interposer l5 suitably mounted for horizontal reciprocation. The forward or left end'of interposer I5 is suitably guided between an operating bar It and the upper end of a punch H. Forward movement of the interposer will position its widest portion between bar I and punch l'l so that subsequent counterclockwise rocking of bar I6 about its pivot II will move the interposer and punch downwardly to perforate the record card A notch 2| in the interposer Ii cooperates with a bar II to rock the same in a counterclockwise direction when the interposer is moved toward the left. Rocking of bar it in such manner, will draw a hook-shaped member 22 (see Fig. 2) toward the left to close a pair of contacts 23. As will be explained in connection with the circuit diagram, contacts II complete a circuit through the punch magnet 24 causing it to attract its armature 25 and, through linkage generally designated I, draw downwardly on the bar I to cause depression of the selected punch ll.

Depression of key ll may, of course, be effected independently of the operation of magnet ll for the purpose of manually controlling punching operations. Disposed beneath the interposers I5 is a bar 21 which is carried by rod 2| upon one end of which is secured an arm 29 (Fig. 3) for operating the escapement mechanism. This escapement mechanism comprises a pawl ll pivoted at II to the frame of the machine and a stepping pawl 82 loosely pivoted on rod ll and normally urged by a spring II into engagement with the teeth 34 on the upper edge of the escapement rack 35. Rocking of rod II in a counterclockwise direction under action of an interpoaer l5 will lower pawl 3. into engagement with a tooth 34 to hold the rack ll in position while punching is being effected. This action at the same time raises pawl 82 out of engagement with the teeth 34 and by virtue of its loose connection upon rod 24 will move slightly toward the right in readiness to intercept the next tooth 34 when the rod 2| is returned to its original position.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the rack 38 is suitably mounted for horizontal movement in the frame of the machine and may be manually moved toward the right to the position shown wherein the record card I! is placed in position with the first column thereof in line with the punches l1.

Gear teeth out on the underside of the rack cooperate with suitable gearing 4|, which is connected to the usual spring barrel 4!, which tends to move the rack toward the left and which effects such movement under control of the escapement mechanism, just described. An arm 43 carried by the rack 38 is provided for cooperation with the card I 8 to move it column by column past the punches IT. The above briefly describes the mechanism necessary to an understanding of the operation of the punch. For further details of construction, reference may be had to the Lee and Phillips patent referred to.

Escapement bar 35 is provided with the usual forward card guide 44 to which, for the purposes of the present invention, is secured an insulating member 45 carrying pairs of electrically connected brushes 46 and 41 insulated from one another and from the member 45.

The lower brush of pair 4 traverses astrip of conducting material 4| while the lower brush of pair 41 traverses a similar strip 49. The upper brush of pair 46 traverses a plurality of insulated contact segments 5. while the upper brush of pair 41 traverses similar segments ii. The strips and segments are embedded in a bar 82 which is secured to the frame of the machine. The spacing of segments '4 and II corresponds to the spacing of the columns of the record card. Positionedtother shtofpunches llisabaril beneath which the columns of the record card I. pass in succession. With the first column of the record card in line with punches H, the fifth column of the card will be in line with the center of bar 53 at which time the brushes 46 will bridge the first segment 50 and conducting strip 4|. When the column now under the bar II has advanced to position beneath the punches H, the brushes 4! will bridge the first segment 5| and conducting strip 49.

As will be pointed out in connection with the circuit diagram, the brushes 46 control the reading-in circuits whereby the information is read from a column of the card when it is beneath bar 53 and brushes 4! control the reading out circuits which control the operation of the punches when the same column has reached punching position. Bar 53 is associated with the record analyzing mechanism, which is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 and comprises a. lamp 54 which projects a beam of light through lenses 55 and 56. This beam of light is projected in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the record and illuminates a single column of the record card. From here it is reflected through a secondary optical system, generally designated 51 (see also Fig. 1a), which concentrates the light upon photo-sensitive elements 58 of which there is one for each index point position of the record. In those index point positions of the record in which a mark or marks occur, insufiicient light will be reflected to infiuence the related cells 58. Similarly, a perforation in any position will also reflect insufficient light, the bar 53 having a nonrefiecting surface.

Referring now to Fig. 4 marks as at 50 are made in selected index point positions as shown. As an illustrative application, the record shown in Fig. 4 may be the original record of the reading of a meter such as a gas meter. The meter reader will enter directly on the record the reading of the meter by making marks, such as 6., in the proper columns and index point positions. This card is then placed face downward in the device of Fig. 1 and these marks 60 are analyzed by the light-sensitive devices which control the operation of the punch to effect perforations, such as 6 I, in the index point positions in which the marks were made by the meter reader.

Fig. 5 shows another form in which the meter reader's original entry may be made. In this instance, small perforations may be made with a pocket punch or pointed instrument as indicated at '2. In making such entry, it is only necessary for the meter reader to take care that his perforation is made within the limits of the to-be-made perforation II.

In Fig. 6 is shown the storage mechanism which is set up under control of the analyzing devices and which subsequently operates the punches to convert the marks or small holes into standard perforations. The device comprises a plurality of relay magnets 63, which upon energization, attract their armatures 64 to close contacts a. Spring-pressed latches ii are provided to maintain the contacts "a closed until punching has been effected under control of the contacts. A common restoring bar 6' is provided for each of the five sets of latches 85, which are provided in the present machine. The bars 66 are connected through bell cranks 61 to vertical rods 64 whose upper ends lie in the path of a spring-pressed member 69 carried by the escapement rack 15. The member 0! contacts with and depresses the rods 68 in succession to cause the restoration of the associated sets of relays in order.

The general operation of the machine will now be described in connection with the circuit diagram (Fig. 7). For ease of explanation, the bar 53 (Fig. 1) is so positioned with respect to the punches II that with a card I! in position with the first column thereof beneath punches II the fifth column will be beneath bar 53 and consequently it is this fifth column which is first analyzed by the analyzing mechanism.

Assuming a card in position with the first column to be analyzed beneath the bar 53, the parts will be in the relative positions shown and closure of switch III (Fig. '7) will close a circuit from one side of line II, through lamp 54 and switch I0 to the other side of line I2. If switch I3 is closed at this time and there is a pencil mark 60 or a perforation 82 in, let us say, the twelve index point position of this column, the reflection of light upon the corresponding photoelectric cell 58 will be interrupted and the operation of amplifier It will be modified so as to complete a circuit from line ll, wire I00, relay magnet ilil in the i2 position, amplifier 14, wire I02, switch 13 to other side of line '|2 Concurrently there is a circuit completed from line H, wire in, relay magnet ill! in the vertical column farthest to the right, wire I04, first segment 50, brushes 46, common strip 48, relay l8, switch 13, to other side of line 12. Concurrent energization of magnets IM and III! will close their respective contacts llila and "3a to complete a circuit from line H, wire 15,

through wire 16, contacts Nile and relay magnet 63 in the I! position of the vertical column of relays farthest to the right, contacts 103a, wire 11, switch 13, to other side of line 12. Energization of relay 63 as an incident to an entry in the i2 index point position of the first analyzed column will thereupon close .its related contacts 63a which are shown closed in the i2 position of the first or right hand column of contacts 63a on the right hand side of Fig. 7. At this time the related latch 85 will hold the contacts 63a closed.

Energization of the relay 18 will close its contacts "a and complete a circuit from line II, through punch operating magnet 24 and contacts 18a to line 12. Energization of magnet 24 (see Fig. 1) will operate bar l6, which through projection 21a on escapement operating bar 21 will operate the escapement mechanism to advance the record I! one step, bringing the next column into an analyzing position and at the same time advancing brush 46 onto the next segment 50.

A mark in this next column will similarly cause energization of the correspondingly located relay in the second vertical column of relays 63 and will close the asociated relay points 63a in the second column and these points will also be closed and latched. The incidental energization of relay 18 will then cause advance of the record and brush 46 to the third column to be read. In this manner, the five vertical columns of relays 63 are succemively selected for receiving entries under control of marks in the record I9. When the fifth or last column is connected through brush 46, the brush 4! will have advanced to its dotted line position. as shown in Fig. '7, wherein it connects the first segment 5i with common strip 49. At this time the first column analyzed will be in position beneath the punches l1 and with the first contact 5i connected to strip 49 a circuit is completed as follows: from line I2, wire 19, strip 40, brushes 41, first segment 5|, wire Oil, uppermost relay points "a, which are previously closed and latched, wire I, I2" punch selector magnet i0, wire 82, to other side of line H.

Energization of magnet III will advance the "i2" interposer i5, which by reason of such advance will close contacts 23, completing the circuit through the punch magnet 24 to effect a perforation in the .l2 index point position of the record directly in line with the mark which causes the original closure of the relay points 63a. At this time also the member 69 of Fig. 6 will be in position immediately to the right of the rod 6! associated with the first group of relay contacts Gla so that upon the escapement of the carriage immediately following the punching operation just described, the rod 68 will be depressed, causing unlatching of the contacts "a which will now be in position to receive a new setting under control of the next analyzed column of the record card.

It will be observed that the number of columns of relays 63 and associated relay contacts 63a is determined solely by the distance between the column of the punches l1 and the bar 53 and the arrangement is such that as the last column of relays is receiving a setting, the first column is controlling punching operations and punching will now take place under the successive control of the previous columns of relay contacts. For this purpose, the first and sixth, second and seventh, third and eighth, fourth and ninth, etc. segments are electrically connected to the first and sixth, second and seventh, etc. contact segments and also electrically connected as shown to permit the continuous analyzing of all the columns of the record card and the control of punching with a definitely limited number of columns of relays.

After the last marked column has been analyzed, the record will, of course, continue its step-by-step advance toward the left under control of the punching mechanism until all of the columns of relays have successively been read out and restored. The card may then be removed from the machine and the carriage returned toward the right to receive another record. During this return movement, the switch I3 is opened to prevent the inadvertent setting up of relays during the return movement. In the diagram, 13 has been shown as a simple switch. In practice, however, this may be in the form of a contact controlled by the carriage in such a manner as to be closed during advance or leftward movement and open while the carriage is moving toward the right in accordance with the well known methods of controlling such contacts. In the circuit diagram, the relays 83 have been shown dissociated from their contact points 63a for the sake of clearness so that the read-in circuits may be shown separate from the read-out circuits. The relays have, however, been dotted adjacent to their contacts to indicate the actual relationship.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single modification, it will be imderstood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a machine of the class described, means for analyzing the index point positions of a record for graphical data designations, punches and means controlled by said analyzing means for operating said punches to punch out the index point positions in which the analyzed graphical data designations occur.

2. In a machine for converting entries on a record from one form of designation to another, the combination of means for reading data entered on a record according to one form of designation, and means controlled thereby for substituting corresponding entries of another form.

3. In a machine of the class described, means for reading graphical indicia on a record, punching devices and means controlled by said reading means for causing said punching devices to punch out the said graphical indicia.

4. In a machine of the class described, means for analyzing delimited areas of a record card for data entries therein in the form of graphical marks, punching devices and means controlled by said analyzing means for causing said punching devices to completely punch out the delimited areas any part of which contains graphical marks.

5. A converting apparatus comprising in combination, means for reading graphical entries made in the index point positions of a record, a storage device settable by said reading means in accordance with said entries, and punches controlled by said device to punch out the original graphical entries.

6. In a machine of the class described, light sensitive means responsive to marks or irregular perforations made in the index point positions of a record, punches and means controlled by said light sensitive means for causing operation of said punches to substitute perforations of definite configuration for said marks or irregular perforations.

7. In a. machine of the classs described, a reading station, a punching station, means for advancing the columns of a record card past said stations in succession, said reading station being provided with means for analyzing graphical entries in said columns and said punching station being provided with punches to perforate said analyzed columns in accordance with the entries read at said reading station.

8. A record controlled apparatus comprising in combination, means for feeding a record column by column, light sensitive means for reading data in a column of said record, a relay adapted to receive said data and a punch controlled by said relay to punch said data back in the record subsequent to said analysis.

9. A card controlled apparatus comprising in combination, means for feeding record cards having graphical indicia thereon arranged in columns, light sensitive means for reading said columns one by one as the record is advanced, a storage device to receive said readings, punches and means controlled by said device for causing operation of said punches to punch out data in the analyzed columns.

JAMES W. BRYCE. 

